Los Angeles Lakers 2014-15 Schedule: 5 Important Early Games

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The Los Angeles Lakers' 2014-15 season looks bleak. However, there are some early games that will determine if the Lakers will be truly horrible, or if he team will have some fight in them. Here are the top five.

5. Houston Rockets, Oct. 28

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5. Houston Rockets, Oct. 28

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The Lakers' first test of the season will be their season opener when the Houston Rockets come to town. We may get an early preview of just how healthy Kobe Bryant will be.

4. San Antonio Spurs, Nov. 14

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4. San Antonio Spurs, Nov. 14

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When the defending champion San Antonio Spurs visits Hollywood on Nov. 14, could the Lakers be playing .500 basketball? The Lakers may, but I doubt it.

3. Los Angeles Clippers, Oct. 31

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3. Los Angeles Clippers, Oct. 31

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The Lakers' cross-arena rivals have owned them the past couple of seasons. But can Bryant extract some revenge and remind everyone in Southern California who the real No. 1 team is?

2. Sacramento Kings, Dec. 9

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2. Sacramento Kings, Dec. 9

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By the time the Sacramento Kings visits the Staples Center in early December, the Lakers could be trying to play their way out of last place.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder, Dec. 19

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1. Oklahoma City Thunder, Dec. 19

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The Lakers could be a desperate team when the Oklahoma City Thunder rolls into town in mid-December. I would not be surprised if the Lakers were 10 games under .500 by this game.